Dorothy & fairies bring magic to cruden farm discovery day

Dame Elisabeth Murdoch invited families to visit Cruden Farm in Langwarrin on Sunday 25 February for Discovery Day, which raised more $60,000 for Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

More than 1500 people made the most of perfect weather to enjoy a fun day of Circus Oz workshops, Western Bulldogs kick to kick, pony rides, clowns, magicians and a baby animal farm.

TV characters Dorothy the Dinosaur, Dora the Explorer, Dr Katrina Warren and her dog Toby were a big hit with kids, as were the face painting fairies. At the Discovery Tent, budding scientists of all ages learned about DNA and the human body from the Institute's researchers.

All money raised will go toward innovative, world class research to help prevent and treat conditions affecting children including allergy, cancer, cerebral palsy, obesity, heart disease, genetic conditions and premature birth.

Our thanks to the development board, Cruden Farm committee, volunteers and major sponsors Herald Sun and Country Road, as well as Leader Community Newspapers, ABN AMRO Morgans, Marshall White and Splitrock who made the day a success.

Development Board

Suzi Carp, Prue Brown, Susannah Calvert-Jones, Dr Narelle Curtis, Tony Davies, Ben James, Fraser MacVean, Sarah Murdoch, Sam Patterson, Angus Reynolds, Ion Teska.

Cruden Farm Committee

Jane Baillieu, Romy Bursztyn, Susannah Calvert-Jones, Narelle Curtis, Aimee Dean-Pritchard, Gwenda Hance, Victoria Lord, Fraser Macvean, Lara Reynolds, Candy Rosenbaum, Ellie Smorgon.

Photos by Carolyn Yencken. Please call 0418 385 423 for enquiries.